There are many different aspects to our smartphone security that we should think about, but that’s always easier said than done. Most people still don’t pay enough attention to protection of their mobile devices, which often results in problems that vary from annoying malware that brings the performance down to identity theft. While it’s not that difficult to ignore some smaller threats that run around your system (though you really shouldn’t!), they can lead to some very serious problems that can affect everything in your life. It would be wise not to let things get out of hand and set precautions so that you don’t have to worry about potentially nightmarish scenarios.

But, where to start when you’re strengthening your smartphone’s security? Well, like the title of this article states, simply getting a password for unlocking your phone shouldn’t be the only security measure you have on your phone, far from it. Having a password is an important part of your security apparatus, but there are other things to consider as well.

Regular Operating System and App Updates

When you’re updating your phone, it usually takes some time and you can’t use your device until it’s done, but those updates are essential for the security of your smartphone. OS updates are there to make sure that defenses set in your phone don’t have any cracks in them, through which hackers can slip through. The reason why the updates are so regular is because developers are constantly working on getting rid of any liability that can in any way be misused by cybercriminals. One other valid reason to do updates is that with each of them comes the list of bugs that are fixed and unless you do them, hackers can very easily use that list to find a weak spot in your security and use it against you. Also, be careful to keep the apps you use the most up to date as well (and get rid of those you don’t use), otherwise they can also serve as back entrance for cyber crooks to infect your phone with gods know what.

Security Software Is Paramount

We can really put everything you need to know in one sentence – get a good antivirus program! It’s amazing and frightening how many people still don’t think about getting good security software for their smartphones, even though all the major companies have mobile versions of antiviruses available for years. You don’t even have to pay for basic protection against malware, viruses, spam and other pests – programs like Avast, AVG, Panda and others offer free software that do a very good job. Of course, a lot depends on what level of security you require on your phone, because if you’re manipulating with a lot of confidential information from your phone and are frequently paying online, then you should consider paying for higher levels of protection that include firewall and more device scanning options.

What Lurks in Public Wi-Fi

One of the main concerns about your smartphone security should definitely be public Wi-Fi and all the trouble that using it can bring. Public networks are more than a welcome help whenever we’re in desperate need for internet, but that necessity is what hackers are counting on when they plant malware in them. When we have to reach someone immediately or need to check something on the web, we’re not really thinking about the problems that can come with public Wi-Fi and this is where the problems begin. Thankfully, protection on public networks is available in many forms, all you have to do is learn more about your options and then choose the tool to fend off all unwanted guests that try to creep into your phone.

When It Comes to Your Password

All the passwords on your smartphone, from the one for your bank app to the one that unlocks your phone, have to live up to certain standards, otherwise it will be like having no passwords at all. Hackers use algorithms and machines that are able to crack passwords very quickly, unless they’re made to withstand this kind of brute force attack.

If it’s easier for you to remember, your password should always uphold three S – Singular, Strong, Safe. Having a singular password means that you should have a different one for every account and app, and you should never use the same one for two separate things. When we’re talking about the second S – strong, we mean that you should come up with a password that has all the goodies in it – upper and lower case letters, special characters and numbers all whipped up in an unpredictable order. If it’s very hard for you to come up with such a password and remember it, use password managers. Finally, keeping your password safe entitles that you shouldn’t share your passwords with anyone, they should be kept private, just like the contents of your phone.

Protecting your smartphone from innumerable threats isn’t necessarily an easy thing to do, but it’s in your best interest to do your best. It’s your privacy and security you’re keeping in check after all, so do all you can to have some peace of mind. – By Adam Ferraresi

Adam loves his job in web development and it shows from his articulate and informing articles published on wefollowtech.com. He lives in Dallas, loves his job, his friends and all the food in the world. Adam is 23, but still loves to play basketball like when he was 16.